How to move QuickBooks desktop to new computer

Thank you for posting in the Community, johnthan761. I'm here to assist you with transferring your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) license to new computers.

Before we start, let's secure a backup copy of your company file to ensure you can access your data anytime and if you ever encounter any issues. Check out this article for more details: Back up your QuickBooks Desktop company file.

If you're using a US version of QuickBooks Desktop 2018 or newer, you can utilize the Migrator Tool to move QuickBooks Desktop and up to three company files to another computer. Before proceeding, ensure your new computer is connected to the internet, and you have a USB flash drive with enough free space to hold your QuickBooks files. The Migrator Tool will inform you of how much free space you need, typically between 150 and 250 MB.

To install and use the Migrator Tool, follow these instructions:

Step 1: On the old computer

1. From QuickBooks, navigate to the File menu, select Utilities, and then select Move QuickBooks to another computer.
2. Select I'm Ready, then create a one-time password.
3. Follow the instructions to choose the USB flash drive you'll use. Then, wait for the files to be copied.

Step 2: On the new computer

1. Insert the USB flash drive. The Migrator Tool won't automatically open due to Windows security restrictions.
2.  Open the flash drive to view its files and double-click the file Move_QuickBooks.bat to start the migrator.
3. Please enter the password you created, then select Let's Go.
4. Wait for the Migrator Tool to finish. The time it takes will depend on the speed of your computer and internet and the size of your company file(s).

If your QBDT version is older than the 2018 version, we won't be able to use the Migrator Tool to reinstall it to another device easily. However, we can manually move your QBDT installation by following these steps:

1. Have your product and license info available.
2. Uninstall the existing QuickBooks application before trying to reinstall it.
3. Download the installation files or insert the CD on the computer where you want QBDT installed.
4. Then, install QuickBooks Desktop as you normally would.

For detailed information and processes, please refer to these articles: 

• Move or reinstall QuickBooks Desktop doesn't the computer
•  Move your company file from your old computer to your new computer

You can also use the verify and rebuild tool moving forward. This helps you find the most common issues in a company file and fix them.

Please let me know how these steps work out, as I want to ensure this is resolved. I will work with you again if you need assistance moving your QBDT company. Have a good one.

@johnthan761 

Which QB Desktop year version do you have?

Can you access CAMPS as the Primary Contact and find your license code there?

https://camps.intuit.com

Hey @johnthan761 

Moving QuickBooks Desktop to a new computer involves a few steps to ensure a smooth transition. Here's a general guide on how to do it:

1. Install QuickBooks Desktop on the New Computer:

   • Install the same version of QuickBooks Desktop that you had on the old computer. If you don't have the installation files, you can download them from the QuickBooks website or use the installation CD.

2. Back Up Your Company File:

   • Open QuickBooks on your old computer.
   • Go to the File menu and select Backup Company > Create Local Backup.
   • Follow the prompts to save the backup file to a location you can easily access, such as a USB drive or a cloud storage service.

3. Transfer the Backup File to the New Computer:

   • Transfer the backup file you created in the previous step to the new computer using a USB drive, network transfer, or cloud storage.

4. Restore the Backup File on the New Computer:

   • Open QuickBooks on your new computer.
   • Go to the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
   • Choose Restore a backup copy and click Next.
   • Select Local backup and click Next.
   • Browse to the location where you saved the backup file, select it, and click Open.
   • Follow the prompts to complete the restoration process.

5. Activate QuickBooks on the New Computer:

   • If you're prompted to activate QuickBooks on the new computer, follow the on-screen instructions to do so. You may need your license and product information.

6. Verify Company File Location:

   • After restoring the backup, verify that QuickBooks is using the correct location for your company file. You can check this by going to the File menu and selecting Open or Restore Company. Ensure that it's pointing to the correct file location.

7. Update QuickBooks and Company File:

   • After moving to the new computer, it's a good idea to check for any updates to QuickBooks and install them. Additionally, if there are any payroll updates or tax table updates available, make sure to install those as well. Still confused follow this url for detailed guide.

8. Test Your Company File:

   • Open your company file on the new computer and thoroughly test it to ensure that all data and functionality transferred correctly. Check for any discrepancies or missing information.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully move QuickBooks Desktop to a new computer without losing any data. If you encounter any issues during the process, you can refer to QuickBooks' support resources or contact their customer support for assistance.